Principal

is it teaching and learning process or is it completion of certain classes and getting a degree? Well, without going into further discussion and explanation ! Here I recall, say some twenty one years back in 2003. I got an opportunity to attend ‘All India ICSE Principals Meet’ Mr. Alexander was to speak on ‘Quality Education’ and ‘School – Light Houses of Knowledge’ . He Started, That he would not speak on my topic that day, instead narrate a short story which he had once read. After hearing him, I was mesmerized; and in fact, got the answer to my question. The story goes – at Madras station as usual there was a lot of hustle and bustle. The platform was jam packed as the train was about to depart for Delhi. Everybody was rushing to board the train, there was pushing and rubbing of shoulders. An old and feeble woman with a hunch (bent back) and with a small bundle of belongings was pushing her way to get into the train. But as she reached the gate of the bogie, she couldn’t climb the steps and was pushed back. Finally as the whistle blew and the train was about to leave, she again reached the gate trying to get in. Suddenly, a young boy came rushing, maneuvering through the crowed and reached beside her, bent himself on his knees and called to the old woman, “Amma (mother), put your feet on my back and get in. ” The old women stepped on his back and was able to get in. An English gentleman who was standing on the platform was observing the whole scene. He also got in, and while in the train, he talked to the boy about what he was doing, his name and the collage he was studying, a general talk, that’s all.

                A month after this episode a letter was received by the principle regarding this boy who was studying at a collage in madras. The letter expressed that University of Oxford wanted to confer or give scholarship to this boy, to pursue any course of his choice at Oxford University. The Principal was flabbergasted! Shocked that no one had ever applied for such scholarship from his college. Moreover, this boy who was being called was an average student. He thought it could have been a mistake. So he wrote back to Oxford University saying, “I received your letter, but i think you have made a mistake. This boy is an average student and doesn’t deserve this scholarship. I recommend another student, who is brighter and more intelligent and would do much better than this boy does not possess requisite qualification for such a prestigious scholarship. “

                       A month later, the principle received another letter from Oxford University saying, “We have made no mistake. We want to give scholarship to the same boy and as for his qualification we need no document or certificate. His qualification and certificate is with him – ‘the footprint of that old woman which got imprinted on his shirt at madras station’, is what we recognize and appreciated. ” The Englishman who was at the the Madras railway station on that day was an observer from Oxford University and had recommended this boy’s name for the scholarship after witnessing his noble deed. He further narrated the whole episode in his letter to the principal. This boy was then sent to Oxford University. He went on completing his P.H.D. in Psychology from Oxford University and later was appointed as a professor of Psychology at the same University. This is  What education is all about- This is what we are trying to inculcate in our student at O. S. N.

                         “Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field”

Rajiv Singh Rautela